Sweep auger structure

ABSTRACT

A sweep auger radially mounted within a storage bin is rotatable horizontally across the bin floor about a vertical axis located centrally of the bin. An upright distributing auger arranged coaxially with the vertical axis has its lower end adjacent the inner end of the sweep auger and its upper end spaced from the roof of the bin. The sweep auger is of a construction such that for each complete revolution across the bin floor it moves predetermined volumes of material over given axial sections thereof for delivery to the distributing auger. The material or grain discharged from the distributing auger is spread across the top surface of the grain stored in the bin. All of the grain in the bin is thus acted upon continuously for circulation through the bin for drying purposes. Field grain may be introduced through the roof of the bin for concurrent distribution and circulation with the grain already in the bin. A bin unloading auger is located below the bin floor to receive grain directly from the sweep auger for discharge exteriorly of the bin.



1. Apparatus for moving a horizontal layer of uniform thickness of a free flowing granular material along the bottom wall of a circular storage bin toward the center of the bin comprising: a. a sweep auger unenclosed over the full length thereof extended radially of the bin, and b. means for rotating said sweep auger horizontally on said bottom wall about a vertical axis located centrally of the bin, c. said sweep auger having a flighting and shaft relatively fromed over the axial length of the auger such that, as the auger is horizontally rotated, any given axially extended section of the auger has the capacity to move inwardly of the auger all of the granular material picked up by that portion of the auger projected outwardly from said axially extended section plus the granular material picked up by the axially extended section whereby a horizontal layer of grain of uniform thickness is moved toward the center of the bin during each revolution of horizontal rotation of the auger.
 2. Apparatus for moving a horizontal layer of uniform thickness of a free flowing granular material along the bottom wall of a circular storage bin toward the center of the bin comprising: a. a sweep auger unenclosed over the full length thereof extended radially of the bin and rotatable horizontally of said bottom wall about a vertical axis located centrally of the bin; b. said sweep auger having a shaft of constant diameter and a flighting with transverse cross sections of varying areas such that as the sweep auger is horizontally rotated on the bin floor the volume of a first axially extended auger section of a given length is substantially equal to the volume of a next adjacent outer axially extended auger section of a given length plus a volume equal to the volume of grain to be picked up by the first auger section, whereby a horizontal layer of grain of uniform thickness is moved toward the center of the bin during each revolution of horizontal rotation of the auger. 